Using Household Appliances and Tools (EMI Safety)

Boston Scientific ICDs and S-ICDs are designed to work properly around most appliances and tools. However, strong electromagnetic interference (EMI) from some appliances and tools may affect how your device works. While these effects are usually temporary, we recommend using the following guidelines for safe interaction with many common household items.

Important to Know

Your device has built-in features that protect it from interference from most electrical or wireless household items.

Some
electrical and wireless items must be kept a certain distance away from
your implanted device to avoid interaction with your device.

What is EMI?

All items that use electricity or transmit wireless signals have invisible electromagnetic fields around them that may temporarily interfere with your ICD or S-ICD’s normal operation. This is called electromagnetic interference, or EMI for short.

Boston Scientific ICDs and S-ICDs have built-in features that protect them from EMI from most household items. However, some items must be kept a certain distance from your device. And others, should not be used at all. Learn more about the safety of various items below.

Hear a Defibrillator Beep

An ICD device can deliver a beeping sound to let you know that you are near a large magnet or source of EMI.

Safe Under Normal Use

The following household items are generally safe to use with an ICD or S-ICD as long as they are in good working condition and used as intended:

Air purifiers

Blenders

CD/DVD Players

Clothes washing machines

Electric blankets

Electric can openers

Electric invisible fences

Electric toothbrushes

Fax/copy machines

Hair dryers

Heating pads

Hot tubs/whirlpool bathsNOTE: Consult with your doctor before using a hot tub. While a hot tub will not harm your implanted device, your medical condition may not permit this activity.

Laser tag games

Microwave ovens

Ovens (electric, convection, or gas)

Pagers

Patient alert devices

Personal computers

Personal digital assistants (PDAs)NOTE: PDAs that also function as cell phones should be kept at least 6 inches away from your ICD or S-ICD.

Portable space heaters

Radios (AM and FM)

Remote controls (TV, garage door, stereo, camera/video equipment)

Stoves (electric or gas)

Tanning beds

Televisions

TV or radio towers (safe outside of restricted areas)

Vacuum cleaners

VCRs

Video games

Safe to Use with Extra Precautions

If you use any of the following items, it’s important to keep them the recommended distance away from your implanted device to avoid interaction.

Items that should not be placed directly over your S-ICD or ICD, but are otherwise safe to use:

Cordless (household) telephones

Electric razors

Hand-held massagers

Portable MP3 and multimedia players (such as iPods®) that do not also function as a cellular phoneNOTE: While portable MP3 players themselves should not interfere with your ICD or S-ICD, the headphones or earbuds should be stored at least 6 inches (15 cm) away from your device and you should avoid draping the headphones around your neck.

Items that should remain at least 6 inches (15 cm) away from your ICD or S-ICD:

Headphones and earbudsNOTE: It is safe to use headphones and earbuds, but you should refrain from draping them around your neck and from storing them in a breast or other shirt pocket.

Magnetic wands used in the game of Bingo

Items that should remain at least 12 inches (30 cm) away from your ICD or S-ICD:

Battery-powered cordless power tools

Chainsaws

Corded drills and power tools

Lawn mowers

Leaf blowers

Remote controls with antennas

Shop tools (drills, table saws, etc.)

Slot machines

Snow blowers

Stereo speakers

Items that should remain at least 24 inches (60 cm) away from your ICD or S-ICD:

Arc welders

CB and police radio antennas

Running motors and alternators, especially those found in vehiclesNOTE: Avoid leaning over running motors and alternators of a running vehicle. Alternators create large magnetic fields that can affect your implanted device. However, the distance required to drive or ride in a vehicle is safe.

Using Cellular Phones Safely

Your cellular phone is a source of EMI and could affect your ICD or S-ICD’s operation. This interaction is temporary, and moving the phone away from your device will return it to proper function. To reduce the chance of interaction, follow these precautions:

Maintain a distance of at least 6 inches (15 cm) between the cell phone and your device. If the phone transmits more than 3 watts, increase the distance to 12 inches (30 cm).

Hold the cellular phone to your ear on the opposite side of your body from your ICD or S-ICD.

Do not carry a cell phone in a breast pocket or on a belt if that places the phone within 6 inches (15 cm) of your device.

These precautions apply only to cell phones, not to household cordless phones. However, you should avoid placing your household cordless phone receiver directly over your ICD or S-ICD.

NOT Safe for Use

The following items are NOT safe to use if you have an ICD or S-ICD device: